Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-07-17
CHAPTER XXXII.
HE SHALL DIE.

trlctS oil the lFanSVadI, dnu WulSn hoieiS
sembles a true nOrth-countIy mist than
anything else, was falling gently but per
sistently. This condition of affairs was as
favorable as possible 10 their enterprise,
and under cover OF it the H%Ottentot aud
the white girl crept far down the hill to
within twelve or fourteen PAGES OF the
back of the wagou-house. Then Jan1e,
who was leading, suddenly put back his
hand aud checked her, and at that mo
ment Jess caught the sound OF a sentry's
footsteps as he tramped leisurely up and
down. For = couple OF minutes or 50 they
stopped thus, not knowing what TO do,
when suddenly u man came round the
corner of the building holding q lantern IN
his hand. On seeing the lantern Jess
first impulse was to hy, but jamie, by u
motion, made her understand that she was
to stop still. The man with the lantern
advanced towards the other man, holding
the light above his head, and looking din
and gigantic in the mist and rain. Presently
he turned his face, and Jess saw that 1t
was Frank Muller himself. He stood thus
for a moment waiting till the sentry was
near to him.
You can 20 to your supper, he said.
Come back in halt an hour. / will be re.
sponsible for the prisoners till then"
The man grOwled out an answer, some
thing about the rain, and then departed
round the end Of the building, followed by
Muller.
"Now then, come on" whispered Jamie;
there is a hole in the store-room wall,
l.. oil. q, snnnl IN hiSSia
Bessie
Jess did not require a second invitation,
but slipped up to the wall in five seconds.
Passing her hand over the stOnework, she
found the air-hOle, which she remembered
well, for they used TO play bo-peep there as
children, and was about 10 whispeI through
it, when suddenly the door at the other
end opened, and Frank Muller entered,
bearing the lantern in his hand. For a
moment h stood on the threshold, opening
the sHde of the lantern i'll order to increase
the light. His hat was of, and he had a
cape of dark cloth thrown over his should
ers, which seemed to add To his great
breadth, and the thought flashed through
the mind of Jess rs she looked at HIM
through the hole, and the light struck
upon his face and form, and glinted down
his golden beard, that he was the most
magnificent specimen OF humanity she had
ever seen. In another instant he had turned
the lantern round and revealed her dear
sister Bessie to her gaze. Bessie was seated
upon one of the half-empty sacks OF mealles,
apparently half asleep, for she opened her
wide blue eyes and looked rOuLd sppre-
hensively like one suddenly awakened.
Her golden curls were in disorder n fall
inc over her fair forehead, and her face was
yery pale and troubled, and marked be-
meath the eyes with deep blue lines.
Catching sight of her visitor. she rose hur-
riedly and retreated as far from him ~ the
pile of sacks and potatoes would allow.
What is it," she said, IN a low voice,
~ gave YOU my answer. Why do you
come TO torment HE again.
He placed the lantern upon an upright
sack Of mealies, and carefully balanced 1t
before he answered. Jess conld see that
he was taking time to consider.
LET us recapitulate," he said, at length,
in his full, rich voice. The position is
this. gave you this morning the choice
between cOnsenting to marry me tO-mor'
row, and seeing your old uncle and benetac'
tor shot. Further, | assured you that II
you would not consent TO marry me your
uncle should be shot, and that | would
then make you mine, dispensing with the
ceremony of marriage. Is that not So"
Bessie made no answer, and he con
tinued, his eyes fixed upon her face and
thOughtfully strokiug his beard.
SILENCE gives consent. | will go on
Before a man can be shot according to Law
he must be tried and condemned according
to law. Your uncle has been tried ant
has been condemned"
Il heard it all, cruel murderer that you
are, said Bessie, lifting her head for the
first time.
80! | thought you would, through the
crack. That is why | had you put into
this place; it would NOT have looked well
to bring you before the court" and h.
took the light and examined the c~revice.
This place is badly built" he went on,
in u careless tone; ''look, there is another
space there at the back" aud he actually
came up 10 it and held the lantern close tC
il 80 that the light from it shOue through
into Jess eyes and nearly blinded her.
She shut them quickly, so that the CLEAN
reflected from them should not betray her,
and then held her breath and remained as
still as the dead. In another second he
took away the light and replaced it on the
mealie bag.
so you say you saw it all. Well, il
must have shown you that | was in earnest.
The old man took it well, did he not? He
is . brave man, and / respect him. fancy
that he will not move a muscle at the last,
That comes Of English blood, you see. II
is the best in the world, and | am proud
to have it in my veins"
Cannot you stop torturing me and say
what you have to say" asked Bessie.
~ had no wish to torture you, but il
you like ] will come to the point. 1t is
this. Will you now consent TO marry me
tomorrow morning at sun-up, or am l tO
be forced to carry the sentence on your old
uncle into ~effect?"
~ will not. l will not. i hate you
and defy you"
Muller looked, at her coldly, and then
drew his pocket-book from his pocket and
extracted from it the d~eath-warrant and
pencil.
'LOok, Bessie" he said. This is your
uncle's death-warrant. At present it is
valueless and informal, for ! have not yet
signed, though. as You will see, I have
been careful that everybody else should.
If once l place my signature there it can.
not be revoked, and the sentence must be
carried into effect. If you persist in your
refusal l will sign it before your eyes,"
and he placed the paper on the book and
took the pencil in his right hand.
"Oh, you cannot, you cannot be such q
fend," walled the wretched woman,
wringing her hands.
Il assure yon, You are mistaken. | both
can and will. have gone too far to turn
back for the sake of n old Englishman.
Listen, Bessie. Your lover Mel is dead,
that you know"
Here Jess behind the wall felt inclined
A. . AL =